Hi, my name is Tim Corbett and I have been playing Diatonic Harp for over 5 years on and off but have really started taking the instrument seriously this year. I try to play all blues from Sonny Terry to Charlie Musslewhite etc. I wonder if someone out there could answer some of my queries.
I currently play through an Astatic JT30 and sometimes a Shure SM 58 into a Peavey Classic 30. It sounds okay, but what are the ideal settings for this amp to get a good bluesy tone. I know all the top harp players play through Green Bullets and Bassmans but this amp is expensive. Should I mike this amp through the PA ?. What is a good combination for mike and amp etc.?. How does GARY Primisch do that funny thrill in the song' Wild Cat Tamer ' harp solo. ?
I got to see Paul lamb and the Kingsnakes in London recently and he was excellent and he played a variation of Hohners, Big River Harps, Meisterclasse, CX12 etc and he played a Green Bullet to a Basssman that was miked through the PA. He also had a foot pedal which I dont know what the type was. Would I be right in saying it was a channel splitter? Any Ideas? Try and listen to Paul Lamb's new CD called 'She's A Killer'. I also got to see Honeyboy Hickling and he was using a Green Bullet Modified with a volume control and with the element of an Astatic and was playing Special 20's and finally Johnny Mars who is a nice player but all those effects pedals put me off. He was constantly pressing foot switches and twisting knobs all night and also played Meisterclasse harps all night.
I play Lee Oskars but I find that the reeds fatigue especially hole 5 draw. Maybe its my playing. I have just bought a Suzuki MR350 and am finding it difficult to get used to the shape as it is slightly thicker than the Lee Oskar. I have a good selection of Marine bands and i really like the tone and I always like to practice my bends on these as it makes it a lot easier when you change to the plastic bodied harps. I have tried a Huang Star Performer and this has a nice tone but recently I bought a Silvertone in Ab and it had so much air leakage even after I took it apart. Anyone with the same problems out there or ideas how to cure this Silvertone. ?
Can anyone tell me if Charlie Musslewhite is playing in London in the near future as I would like catch one of his gigs. I first saw him on the Jools Holland Show on TV about 4-5 years ago and he played and sang 'The Blues Overtook Me'. Since then I have bought 5 of his CD's. I met Don Baker in Ireland 3 Years ago and he told me he played Huang star Performers as they were cheap. I was suprised he was not playing Hohners as he promotes them in his video.!
Just got hold of a CD by 'Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish' and it has some nice riffs on some of the tracks
Finally has the cassete tape with Harp owners own riffs recordings available yet? I think Steve Jennings was looking after the admin on the UK side as I would like to purchase a tape. Who do I speak to or write to.? What are the prices?
